The Different Temperatures and Cycles on Your Washer

Most people tend to favor a certain cycle on their washing machine and use it most of the time. But you may be neglecting other cycles that could be a big help in your laundry routine. Different kinds of fabrics and clothes benefit from varying water temperatures and agitation levels. So, it’s important to know how each cycle works. Here’s a breakdown of the different temperatures and cycles on your washer.

 

Gentle or Delicates

The gentle cycle is designed for your most delicate fabrics. Handmade, silk, or lacey fabrics benefit the most from the gentle cycle. Using this cycle is the equivalent of handwashing since it uses cold water with low to no spinning. If your gentle cycle uses warm water, you can easily change it to cold. Cold water is the best for delicate fabrics, and when in doubt, it’s always the best temperature to use.

Normal Cycle

A “normal” cycle is for most of your laundry. It works well with your everyday clothes and linens. However, most people may not realize how intense this cycle can be. It uses high agitation, lots of spinning, and usually defaults to warm temperature water. This cycle is great for t-shirts, sweats, and durable linens like towels and cotton sheets. However, it may be too much for sweaters, soft fabrics, or anything that may take a beating in the washer.

Permanent Press

Not to be confused with the normal cycle, the permanent-press cycle is shorter, uses less agitation/spinning, and usually has a lower water temperature. This cycle is perfect for the clothes you want to be a bit gentler on, but still wear often. For example, those “work casual” or “night out” outfits would be great in this cycle.

The professionals at Express Appliance Service are washing machine experts. If your washer isn’t working correctly, give us a call today!